The way I’ve heard it explained these would be Israeli converts which is why Petra would be close enough to serve as their desert refuge.
This I would agree with.
What I have issue with is the statement I was addressing
“I think rapture myths are being used to control gullible well meaning christians to not taking action”
Almost!
They are being used by Satan to prevent believers from doing what Yeshua asked them to do in order to be protected in the place he will prepare for that purpose in the desert.
Which to me is a blanket statement that all Christians, throughout the entire world, are going to go to Petra or where ever the protected place actually is.
I don't see this as being all believers. Revelation 12 is specifically addressing Israel, or at the very least Israeli converts.
If this were addressing all believers, we are currently looking at a world population of 7 billion.
Some people like to claim 10% of the earth are believers. That would be 700 million.
If we break it down to 1% instead, that still leaves 70 million.
Now we have the argument of are Christians affected by Gods seals and bowl judgements? Because one describes 1/4 of the planet being wiped out and another another 1/3. That means about 3.535 billion people will be wiped out by Gods wrath.
How many are believers? Or are the believers protected from God's wrath at this time.
Petra, if it is the protected place, is very small. Currently Israel 8 million people. But Revelation specifically mentions 144,000 jews, set aside by God.
My point being, I disagree with what the poster said. The place in the dessert isn't for all the current or surviving Christians, from all over the world. Revelation 12 is specifically for Israel in general or the 144,000 at the very least, that is who the protected place is for.